raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
(** Image Heavy **)
hi.
I posted a previous entry on which lens to bring to a nepal business trip (here). In the end, I decided to bring the XPAN and the XA4. The choice of XPAN was a logical one, a switchable Normal or Panoramic lens. The choice of the XA4 was to serve as a backup. I concluded from my previous encounters with the XA4 that it was an outdoor camera; and even at the maximum iso of 1600, it frequently gave warning on insufficient indoor lighting.
My photo taking consisted of snapping from the car on the first day, and watching the sunrise on the last day. In between was work meetings.
My XPAN died on the second roll and my beautiful Sunrise was captured on the XA4. The XPAN camera has been dispatched to the local camera shop. While fiddling with slow-speeds, the camera chirped and then refused to shutter-release.
The film is Tri-X 400, rated at ISO 1250 and ISO 400. At 1250, the developer used was Diafine while the ISO 400 ones were developed with TMAX developer.
The pictures were adjusted for contrasts and cleaned for spots.
Here are some pics and comments.
Nepal is a poor country of 30 million. About 4million are in Kathmandu itself. While the neighboring countries are benefiting from road-works and other public constructions. Nepal is still struggling with poor infrastructure. For example, the load balancing of electricity means that there are blackouts on average 30 hours a week, usually in the mornings or in the evenings.
Despite the economic, social and political issues. People are generally busy. This is a very hardworking culture. In the 4 days in Kathmandu, I did not see a single begger in the streets except for one lady asking for money at traffic lights, while begging is prevalent across Asia, it appears to be quite rare in Kathmandu.
The facial features are very interesting. In the midlands and highlands, a lot of people have eastern Asian ("chinese") looking features, while in the lowlands, there is more south Asian ("indian") look. Of course Kathmandu attracts a wide swath of people across Nepal.
Nepal borders Tibet (China), India and Bhutan. Among my travels across the countries, I find the Pakistanis and Nepalese women to have the nicest looking features
About 80% of the population are Hindus while 10% are Buddhist.
Part I.
hi.
I posted a previous entry on which lens to bring to a nepal business trip (here). In the end, I decided to bring the XPAN and the XA4. The choice of XPAN was a logical one, a switchable Normal or Panoramic lens. The choice of the XA4 was to serve as a backup. I concluded from my previous encounters with the XA4 that it was an outdoor camera; and even at the maximum iso of 1600, it frequently gave warning on insufficient indoor lighting.
My photo taking consisted of snapping from the car on the first day, and watching the sunrise on the last day. In between was work meetings.
My XPAN died on the second roll and my beautiful Sunrise was captured on the XA4. The XPAN camera has been dispatched to the local camera shop. While fiddling with slow-speeds, the camera chirped and then refused to shutter-release.
The film is Tri-X 400, rated at ISO 1250 and ISO 400. At 1250, the developer used was Diafine while the ISO 400 ones were developed with TMAX developer.
The pictures were adjusted for contrasts and cleaned for spots.
Here are some pics and comments.
Nepal is a poor country of 30 million. About 4million are in Kathmandu itself. While the neighboring countries are benefiting from road-works and other public constructions. Nepal is still struggling with poor infrastructure. For example, the load balancing of electricity means that there are blackouts on average 30 hours a week, usually in the mornings or in the evenings.
Despite the economic, social and political issues. People are generally busy. This is a very hardworking culture. In the 4 days in Kathmandu, I did not see a single begger in the streets except for one lady asking for money at traffic lights, while begging is prevalent across Asia, it appears to be quite rare in Kathmandu.
The facial features are very interesting. In the midlands and highlands, a lot of people have eastern Asian ("chinese") looking features, while in the lowlands, there is more south Asian ("indian") look. Of course Kathmandu attracts a wide swath of people across Nepal.
Nepal borders Tibet (China), India and Bhutan. Among my travels across the countries, I find the Pakistanis and Nepalese women to have the nicest looking features
About 80% of the population are Hindus while 10% are Buddhist.
Part I.
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raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
Nepal has a very young population, roughly 60% of the population is between 17 - 24 years of age.
The buildings have tiny doors and walkways, many have not been updated for decades.
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
Wood carpenter.
With high unemployment, many Nepalese are looking overseas for jobs. These are mainly manual labor usually in the construction industry in the middle-east. There are daily queues outside the Ministry of Home Affairs, where young men wait for their passports to be issued.
Inside the comfort of my hotel, the outside Nepal seem very remote.
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raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
On the last day, we travelled for a hour at 4am to the outskirts of Bhatkapur to a resort in Nagarkot to capture the beautiful Sunrise. I had mixed feelings capturing this in black and white, as the colors above were really cyan and black and white while the Sunrise was pink and white with the Sun orangey red. It was an incredible sight.
The above with the moon was captured around 6am.
The tourists came from all over, koreans, eastern europeans, Japanese and Americans.
Sunrise around 6.20-ish.
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
The End.
thanks for watching.
randomm
Well-known
Nice pictures. I particularly like the one with a man carrying a huge stack of boxes on his back.
tooffy
Established
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
nolasafari
Member
Thank you for posting the pictures. I enjoyed everyone of them. A lot of Coco-Cola and a few Pepsi signs in the background. I did not notice any cigarette advertising or anyone smoking, funny what catches your eye.
I also appreciated the narrative I learned a lot about Nepal that I would have never known.
I also appreciated the narrative I learned a lot about Nepal that I would have never known.
scottwallick
ambition ≥ skill
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a nice time in Nepal—and stayed at the Hilton by the looks of the interiors. I especially liked the shot of the bar. Excellent.
Also, Nepal doesn't share a border with Bhutan. Only China and India.
Thankd for sharing—love me some Nepal!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing. Looks like you had a nice time in Nepal—and stayed at the Hilton by the looks of the interiors. I especially liked the shot of the bar. Excellent.
Also, Nepal doesn't share a border with Bhutan. Only China and India.
Thankd for sharing—love me some Nepal!
faris
Well-known
Nice pics.
He stayed at the Hyatt in Kathmundu.
Pakistani features? I think you mean Indian features as it borders India.
Nagarkot..just worth a stop to see the sunrise over the mountains. I moved on to the
other superb areas of Nepal.
He stayed at the Hyatt in Kathmundu.
Pakistani features? I think you mean Indian features as it borders India.
Nagarkot..just worth a stop to see the sunrise over the mountains. I moved on to the
other superb areas of Nepal.
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raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
Thanks for all your encouragement!
I am currently using statistics to improve my picture taking, ie. shoot more film and hope to increase the number of keepers.
Usually, I only carry one body, either the XA or the Olympus 35SP. Having the second camera body saved me on this trip.
Another thing is the camera ISO, is there an optimal general-purpose ISO ? I am inclined either 800 or 1600. For my type of photography, ie. reportage, I think this ISO range would suffice.
your comments are most welcomed.
scottwallick and faris: your shots are incredible.
raytoei
I am currently using statistics to improve my picture taking, ie. shoot more film and hope to increase the number of keepers.
Usually, I only carry one body, either the XA or the Olympus 35SP. Having the second camera body saved me on this trip.
Another thing is the camera ISO, is there an optimal general-purpose ISO ? I am inclined either 800 or 1600. For my type of photography, ie. reportage, I think this ISO range would suffice.
your comments are most welcomed.
scottwallick and faris: your shots are incredible.
raytoei
